First Profession of Sr Enda Maria

Young Nun’s First ProfessionA beautiful service took place in St James Church, Kilbeggan, on Sunday 7th September when Catherine O’Halloran of the Céilí Community took her first vows towards becoming a religious sister withinthe community.Monsignor Pat Lynch, leader of the Céilí Community, was the principle celebrant at the Mass during which Catherine took her vows. He was assisted by Fr John Keane, also a member of the community and by Fr Eamonn Monson, who has been Catherine’s spiritual director throughout her journey.The church of St James in Kilbeggan is a relatively modern church and the quiet atmosphere in the cool of the evening lent much to the solemnity of the occasion. The tabernacle at the back of the altar is the focal point of the chapel and the large crucifix hanging directly above it, with a sanctuary light at either side, centres your attention on the fact that this is a place where we re-present Calvary: you could not find a more fitting setting for a solemn celebration.The congregation was made up of family and friends of Catherine and the other members of the Ceili community were also present. Her father and mother, John and Bridget O’Halloran, along with her brother and sister, had travelled from Galway for the wonderful occasion. Several priests and nuns from the area had come along to witness the event.Catherine did her novitiate with the Sisters of the Disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ at their convent in Amarillo, Texas. Mother Therese the superior general and Sister Lucy, Catherine’s formator travelled over from the U.S. to be with Catherine on this wonderful occasion.Sr. Ena Devlin of the Céilí Community introduced proceedings and began by welcoming everyone and thanking all those who had come along. She extended a special word of welcome to Mother Therese and Sr. Lucy as well as Catherine’s parents and family.Sr. Ena told the congregation that there is a special Mass in the church’s liturgy for the taking of religious vows and that it would be during Mass that Catherine would take her first temporary vows which last for three years.The Mass began with a sprinkling of Holy Water and the blessing of all present. After the Gloria the first part of the ceremony took place when Sr. Ena ‘Called Forth’ Catherine:“Let Catherine O’Halloran, who today wishes to make first vows, come forth.”Catherine: “Here I am, Lord, you have called me.”These deeply moving words, which have been uttered a thousand times in every generation, by women committing their lives to Jesus, signify a desire to begin a life of service to God and his Church. There was a sense among the congregation that this celebration was something different.Next, Monsignor Lynch asked Catherine, “At this stage of your life, what do you ask of God and His holy church?” to which Catherine replied:“I ask for God’s merciful love and for the grace of serving Him more perfectly as a Religious Sister in Céilí Community.”We then moved on to the Liturgy of the Word, with Catherine’s sister, Margaret reading the first reading and her brother John reading the second. Fr Monson proclaimed the Gospel.Monsignor Lynch gave a brief overview of Catherine’s life with the community from when she joined in 2008 through to 2010 the year Catherine first expressed an interest in religious life, and the good work that she was already doing alongside the other members of Céilí.During his homily Monsignor Lynch made reference to thefact that the taking of religious vows is a deepening of our baptismal vows in which we promise to serve God and his church faithfully.“In the Christian experience, to follow Jesus is the path for all the baptized, whereas consecrated life is a special call, in the sense that there isn't a commandment on this. Yet, there are people who, to follow Jesus, leave all goods and live in poverty. Another dimension is that of virginity, not because marriage is not valued, but because some have felt that God is greater than marriage. This means to follow Jesus, as Christ followed the Father, and Mary who followed God in virginity. The whole question of obedience and respect for authority is a very beautiful dimension, because one chooses to obey God and does so accepting the mediation of the human authority inspired by the Lord. These are the ways proper to consecrated life,” said Monsignor Lynch.“Consecrated Religious Life is vital to the New Evangelization,” Archbishop José Rodriguez Carballo, OFM, Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated life said the following on 22 November 2013“Precisely because consecrated religious do not live “absent” from the world, nothing that regards men and women can be foreign to them, particularly when it involves wounded and suffering humanity,” Monsignor Lynch continued.The New Evangelization is a subject that is dear to the heart of Monsignor Lynch and the Céilí Community.Céilí Communityis a community of priests, religious, and lay people, praying and working together to preach parish, school, and youth missions, throughout Ireland. They also teach and give practical training on all aspects of evangelisation.Following the sermon we again moved into the formal part of the service as laid down by Canon Law. After what is called ‘The Examination’ and the Litany of the Saints, which was beautifully chanted by Mother Therese and Sr. Lucy, Catherine then gave her commitment in the form of a prayer:“Heavenly Father, In the name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus ChristAnd under the protection of Our Lady Star of Evangelisation,I, Catherine O’Halloran, guided by the Holy Spirit, freely choose the Christian way of life in the Church which is sealed by the evangelical counsels,And vow to you Lord God, temporary vows for three years of poverty, chastity and obedience according to the lifestyle of Céilí Community.I dedicate myself entirely to you and resolve to live the evangelising way of life in a community of love imbued with the grace and mission of evangelisation.May your loving kindness which endures forever and the prayers of the Church and my community support me until you have completed what you have begun in me today?I ask you Msgr Patrick Lynch the Superior of Céilí Community, to accept my vows in the name of the Church on this 7 Day of September, and Vigil of the feast of Our Lady’s Birthday 2014.”Catherine O’Halloran has been a committed member of the Céilí community ever since she joined in 2008. A tireless labourer in the work of spreading God’s word, Catherine led the ‘secondary schools’ mission team for the community.At this point in the service Catherine took her new name, Sister Enda Maria, and was presented with her habit. Sister Enda Maria chose this name in remembrance of St Enda or St Enda of Aran, who was a great evangelist and is often referred to as the "patriarch of Irish monasticism,” and Maria recalls, St Maria Goretti.Sr. Mary, another member of the Céilí Community, gave us a brief overview of the symbolism contained in a consecrated sister’s habit and she described Sister Enda Maria’s habit to the congregation.“A white habit is the emblem of innocence and purity; the green scapular is the sign of St Patrick and our Irish heritage. The white veil is a sign of humility and the green cincture or cord, is a sign of humility. The Trinitarian crucifix which will be worn around the neck, is the symbol of the Trinity and Patrician Spirituality while the preaching cross, which is worn at the side, is a sign of the proclamation of the gospel.”Throughout the service the congregation listened intently to all the proceedings and the explanations given of what was taking place and the life which Sister Enda Maria was embarking upon.Friendly, bright and cheerful, Sister Enda Maria brought her happy disposition into every aspect of community life. Catherine was born in Galway; she is the youngest of four siblings. She grew up in a home with loving parents who were always there to support her in her life choices but she was no angel and often tested her parent’s patience. In her teens she enjoyed going to discos and checking out the latest fashion with friends in the shops in Galway City. Her and her friends were also avid movie viewers.She went to a mixed secondary school in the neighbouring parish. On repeating her Leaving Cert. she entered university in NUIG to study General Science but after a couple of years she realised that life in the lab was not all what she imagined it to be.She began to get interested in evangelisation after an experience at a youth retreat which renewed her in her Catholic faith. She then attended a discipleship course in Knock and there she met members of Céilí community which sparked her desire for community life and outreach in evangelisation. Later this call developed into a religious vocation within Céilí community. This answered my question as to why a young woman should decide to consecrate her life to God.After the Mass of first vows had ended and when all the guests had a chance to congratulate Sister Enda Maria, everyone was invited over to the Church Hall where a sit down meal was served.Earlier, in his homily Monsignor Lynch, in a few words, bought out the beauty of consecrated life and highlighted what is happening in Ireland today:“Our lives as consecrated people must testify to the personal encounter with Christ which has nourished our consecration. This is so important today when we see a certain ‘eclipse of God’ taking place, a kind of amnesia which, albeit not an outright rejection of Christianity, is nonetheless a denial of the treasure of our Catholic Faith, a denial that could lead to the loss of our deepest identity as Irish people. In a world of relativism and mediocrity, we need this radicalism to the love of Christ to which our consecration bears witness.”The joy and radiance of Sister Enda Maria as she took her first vows, was a sure and certain proof that the amnesia of the people of Ireland of which Monsignor Lynch spoke, is far from total. Turlough Quinn

Catherine before her profession

Parish Alter servers

Catherine is escorted down the isle by her mother and father to the Alter.

Sr Ena (IBVM) introduces the profession mass and explains what is about to take place.

Catherine prostates herself while the Litany of Saints is chanted.

Two Sisters of the Disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ chant the litany of saints.

Catherine makes her First Profession into the hands of the Director of Céilí- Msgr Pat Lynch.

The Blessing of the Habit.

Sr Enda Maria receives the "Cross of Proclamation". This signifies the charism of Céilí Community

Her parents bring up the gifts.

With a proud Mum and Dad.

With family members.

With Mattie McGrath and Sr Ena.

Some of the guests.

With her Spiritual Director Fr Eamonn Monson SAC.

Parishioners

With more sisters.

With members of Céilí Community.

SERMON FOR SR. ENDA MARIA'S PROFESSION

I searched through Céilí’s teaching material recently and found when Catherine came to us in 2009 we were looking at future vision. As part of this process we intimated our openness to the possibility of having our own Religious and Priests. This stuck in the recesses of Catherine’s mind until eventually she shared her desire with us two years later in 2010.

Today is the vigil Feast of the Birthday of the Our Lady and a very fitting feast to celebrate Catherine’s First Vows.

In the Christian experience, to follow Jesus is the path for all the baptized, whereas consecrated life is a special call, in the sense that there isn't a commandment on this. Yet, there are people who, to follow Jesus, leave all goods and live in poverty. Another dimension is that of virginity, not because marriage is not valued, but because some have felt that God’s call to Religious Life is greater than marriage. This means to follow Jesus, as Christ followed the Father, and Mary who followed God in virginity. The whole question of obedience and respect for authority is a very beautiful dimension, because one chooses to obey God and does so accepting the mediation of the human authority inspired by the Lord. These are the ways proper to consecrated life. I think that wherever mature communities are born, consecrated persons are born; it has been so since the beginning of the Church.

Consecrated Religious Life is vital to the New Evangelization. Archbishop José Rodriguez Carballo, OFM, Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated life said the following on 22 November 2013

“Precisely because consecrated religious do not live “absent” from the world, nothing that regards men and women can be foreign to them, particularly when it involves wounded and suffering humanity.”

I want to stress that it is this deep relationship with Christ which gives consecrated religious life “extraordinary apostolic and missionary efficacy”. If one thing characterizes the consecrated life, it is the recognition of the living presence of the Lord in our lives and in our history. If it is true that only a prayerful disciple can hand on the Good News, then a life entirely devoted to prayer and the evangelical councils is by its very nature evangelical. It offers a response, rooted in spirituality, to our search for the sacred and for our longing for God, while the consecrated person points out the path toward the transcendent.

It is not by accident that consecrated life is born from hearing the word of God as Hosea did in today’s first reading “therefore I am going to allure her, I will lead her and speak tenderly to her” {Hosea 2:14ff}. A life devoted to following Christ in chastity, poverty and obedience becomes a living ‘example and exegesis’ of God’s word… Every charism and every rule springs from it and seeks to be an expression of it, thus opening up new pathways of Christian living marked by the radicalism of the Gospel.

In the consecrated life, this means going to the very root of the love of Jesus Christ with an undivided heart, putting nothing ahead of this love and being completely devoted to him, the Bridegroom, as were the Saints, like St. Enda of Arran & St Maria Goretti. Our lives as consecrated people must testify to the personal encounter with Christ which has nourished our consecration. This is so important today when we see a certain ‘eclipse of God’ taking place, a kind of amnesia which, albeit not an outright rejection of Christianity, is nonetheless a denial of the treasure of our Catholic Faith, a denial that could lead to the loss of our deepest identity as Irish people. In a world of relativism and mediocrity, we need this radicalism to the love of Christ to which our consecration bears witness.

Today’s second reading speaks to us of community and mission “the believers were together and the Lord added to their number” {Acts 2:42ff}. Where does mission originate? The answer is simple: it originates from a call, the Lord’s call, and when he calls us, he does so with a view to building us as church and sending us out. But how is the one sent out meant to live? What are the reference points of Christian mission? This reading from Acts suggests three important points: faithfulness to {1} the church to {2} community and to {3} prayer, especially the Eucharist. It is in this soil of faithfulness, community and Eucharist that all vocations are born and grow. By drawing from this wellspring through prayer, constant recourse to God’s word and to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, it becomes possible to live a life of love in community. Consecrated life lived in community, in preparation for mission and outreach are “schools of communion" modelled and reflecting the harmonious life of the Most Holy Trinity.

This sermon would not be complete without reference to today’s feast day, The Birthday of Our Blessed Lady, Star of Evangelisation. "Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28). These are the words - recounted by the Evangelist Luke - with which the Archangel Gabriel greets Mary. At first glance, the term "rejoice", looks like a normal greeting, but the angel's greeting to Mary is an invitation to joy, a deep joy, it announces the end of the sadness that there is in the world in front of the limits of life, suffering, death, wickedness, the darkness of evil that seems to obscure the light of the divine goodness. Like today’s celebration, it is a greeting that marks the beginning of something new. An Evangelii Gaudium moment.

Without a constant “overshadowing from the Most High” {Lk,1:26ff} our mission, as consecrated people can become dull. If we look towards Jesus, we see that “nothing is impossible to God”. {Lk;1:37} Let us cultivate that dimension, even amid the whirlwind of more urgent and pressing duties. And the more the mission calls us to go out to the margins of existence, let our heart be the more closely united to Christ’s heart, full of mercy and love. Herein, I think, lies the secret of the fruitfulness of a consecrated person of the Lord!

Today Catherine is a day of joy for you and us. Why? Because the Holy Spirit will “overshadow you with His power” In the words of today’s first reading “You shall be betrothed in righteousness and justice in love and compassion..and you will acknowledge the Lord” {Hos.”:14-22}. May you always experience that joy of being consoled by him, of being loved by him, then you can bring that joy to others.

Remember as cities built on a mountain and lights placed in candelabra, those who devote themselves to a wholly consecrated life visibly prefigure the goal and end towards which the entire community of the Church is journeying.

Dear friends, with great confidence I entrust us to the intercession of Mary Most Holy. She is the Mother who helps us to make life decisions freely and without fear. May she help you to bear witness to the joy of Gods consolation, to conform ourselves to the logic of love of the Cross, to grow in ever deeper union with her Son. Then our lives will be rich and fruitful! Amen.

Msgr. Pat Lynch

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